MY JOB DESCRIPTION

In my previous blog (HOW WASHINGTON WORKS), I described the contracting aspect of doing business with the Federal Government. My job was to assist our company offices around the country contract with state governments, often using the federal GSA contracting agreements as negotiating tools.

This was a new job in the department and I was thrilled to be the catalyst for it. It was incumbent upon me to set their procedures under which I, and my successors, would work. The Company had offices in every state capitol, some directly owned and others owned by independent business people (dealers). In each situation I was responsible to see that the state contracting pricing did not undercut the federal prices. For instance, if a state contract was negotiated to sell $1.00 widgets (the federal price) for $0.95, the federal price automatically dropped to the lower price. That would be costly to our company.

Assisting me around the country were eight government specialists who worked daily with our offices and used my services as a staff person. We met quarterly as a group, either in Washington or in a state capitol of my choosing. I traveled with each of them individually to negotiate contracts, and often traveled to a state capitol to work with sales people, a part of my job that I enjoyed the most.

More, later.